Disclaimer: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles belong to Eastman and Laird. For the purpose of entertainment I am borrowing their creations and transposing them to this story. I own not the people of historical significance here I am merely (like the TMNT borrowing) them for the purpose of the plot. I own only the story.

A/N: It is the 16th Century. The plot revolves around the Takagawa and Oda clans feud and more specifically the Hamato family's involvement in it. There will be character death of Canon, historical and OC. There will also be heavy use of Japanese language and terms. The translation for any hard to understand stuff will be at the end of the chapter. All characters though speaking mostly in English are actually speaking Japanese.

NEW A/N: I have edited the work slightly. Familial Japanese words will be used in speech only now, such as wife, husband, son, daughter, cousin, uncle etc… This is to make the story more available to my readers and helps me out in not accidentally mixing up the English and Japanese. I'm always looking for constructive criticism. I have also made a slight change to a location but nothing that would affect the story at this moment in time. I'm also adding a warning.

Warning: This is currently a T rated story but may very well develop into an M. There will be death. There will be references to prostitution amongst other illegal activities but so far they are only alluded to. Graphic violence is a likely inevitability due to the nature of the time-line and activities of the players.

Bunraku

We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.
- Ray Bradbury

Tmnt

Hamato Yoshi was relieved when his master Kawakami Masamune came home, safe from a battle. The Samurai was not the most generous or amiable of people but he had honour. Yoshi had learnt a lot from the man during his time under Masamune service. He was harsh but fair and being as serviceable as possible Yoshi had garnered the older man's respect, so much so that he had been taught by the weathered warrior himself the workings of the art of Bushido. He had even been granted lesson in the way of Samurai fighting and all this at great risk to his master. A serf was not supposed to be allowed such knowledge, Hamato Yoshi was privileged for Masamune went beyond duty to teach him.

Unfortunately the relief Hamato Yoshi felt was tempered by fear for his wife, Tang Shen. Tang Shen was a Kunoichi and was allied with the Iga clan. The Iga clan had accepted an offer on behalf of a mysterious benefactor to watch over and protect an un-named child. Hamato Yoshi's wife refused to tell him any more then that because of his closeness to his master. He was not a foolish man, he knew there was far more too it but also knew his Tang Shen would not betray the Iga clan anymore then he would betray Kawakami Masamune. It was a stalemate. Now his Tang Shen was away dealing with her own matters and he could not but help feel apprehensive that the battle his master had returned from was somehow connected.

A Samurai would not turn away from a lost battle. The Bushido code dictated that a Samurai who failed in a battle must commit Seppuku. Honour required it and the Samurai were all about honour. Master Masamune had come back alive and well, and with a glorious collection of heads, winning tokens. All Yoshi knew was that the battle was a success and his wife was still away.

He was currently kneeling at the entrance of the Tokonama looking at his wife's Origami. When she was home she enjoyed the art of paper folding and Hamato Yoshi could watch her for hours creating them. He appreciated her in those quiet moments. That was the Tang Shen he had first met, he could pretend in those moments she was just his wife. All he saw was the woman he loved and not the warrior she hid.

Ichiro's cry broke Yoshi from his reflective state. He arose with grace from his position on the Tatami mat and went to check on his son. Thoughtful Anzu was already taking care of the infant, rocking the restless child while he wailed. Anzu was Tang Shen's cousin that they had gladly taken in when her parents had died at the hands of wild men. They had come to the young girls village to plunder the rice fields to feed their own mouths and hadn't cared who they killed in the process. Anzu's father had dared to stand in their way, her mother standing proudly by his side. They both fell before the eyes of their seven year old daughter.

Five years later Anzu was still living under her cousin's roof. No-one else wanted to take care of her for Anzu was remarkable in that she was born with red hair an ill omen many considered but not for the Hamato's. Even Kawakami Masamune allowed her to stay, it was Yoshi's pleading and his master caring for all children that he accepted her presence. Earning her keep in chores and house duties and now as a nurse maid for the couples young son Ichiro, Anzu had the mother's heart and was a godsend when Tang Shen was called away on business.

' Konichiwa Anzu-Chan. I see that Ichiro is not happy. The child does not sleep enough. He has a strong will, don't you think.'

The young girl smiled at her 'uncle', still rocking the plump child in her arms.

'He has his Chichi's strength and his Haha's will. He is hard work with such strong personalities. I have fed him, changed him and even played with him but Ichiro is still not happy. He refuses to bend or give.'

Yoshi suspected the boy was missing the comfort of his mother's arms. Or perhaps he sensed trouble from wherever Tang Shen was, or even the fear in his father's heart of what could very well be happening to his beloved. This thought urged Yoshi to hold his own flesh and blood. Anzu willingly passed her possession when he held out his arms to take the living bundle. Ichiro was part of both parents and it gave Yoshi great pleasure to hold such a precious reminder.

The little baby quickly quietened in his father's grip and stared up into the face of his paternal parent with rare topaz eyes. The little boy's forehead scrunched as his bold gaze was enthralled by the wispy eyebrows. One chubby hand reached out to grasp one and Yoshi chuckled. It was a fine grip. He and Tang Shen had been blessed. The boy was bound to grow up big and strong. Yoshi's only concern now was that Ichiro would have the joy of growing up with both parents there for him, and with a new brother or sister nestled currently in the womb of Hamato Tang Shen. It was a matter of waiting.

'I will teach you the ways of Bushido my son. Master Kawakami has taught me the honour of it. We are blessed to be in the house of a Samurai. You will grow to be a great man.'

TMNTMNTTMNTTMNTMNTTMNTTMNT

Hamato Tang-Shen was known in the Iga clan as Yuki'Ketsueki (Snow blood). She was so named for her pale skin and quick hands. She had been part of the clan since she was a little girl, long before she knew Hamato Yoshi existed. Fully trained in the arts, Yuki'Ketsueki understood the importance of her duty within the clan. As a Kunoichi she was a specialist in closing in on male targets, using her feminine wiles and although guilt laced her heart for the husband she left behind and was betraying, she never turned down a job.

She was now waiting for her Jounin, the leader of the Hitokage section of the Iga clan. The man was a mystery even to the other ninja under his command. He went by one name only, Yama, meaning mountain. No-one knew what he looked like for he always wore a mask but everyone knew of him. Yama was a powerful force unto himself and stories boasted of his skill. Blood smothered his hands even though you could not see it.

Yuki'Ketsueki had valuable information to pass to Yama concerning the recent kidnapping of six year old Matsudaira Takechiyo. She had been sent to the Kowatari Castle to 'entertain' Oda Nobuhida leader of the Oda clan who was the one holding the child in his custody. The Hitokage of the Iga ninja clan had been approached by an associate of the child's father to watch over the boy while he was being used as bait in a struggle between two rival clans in domination of Iga Province and the surrounding area's.

Yuki'Ketsueki's job was to simply insure that Takechiyo was being looked after. The Hitokage were being paid well for this service. Of course the clan were using the opportunity to asses both sides of the war. Information other then the child could prove a valuable commodity in the future when one side or the other became victorious. The Hitokagi had to make sure they were on the right side.

Yama called the Kunoichi to his chamber using his preference of a bell when he summoned his audience. Yuki'Ketsueki on her knees whilst she had been waiting, pulled back the shoji stepped in, knelt once more and closed the screen behind her. She bowed to the figure sitting crossed legged on a futon.

'Irasshaimase, Yuki'Ketsueki-san. You bring me news?'

'Hai. Oda Nobuhida has taken to Matsudaira Takechiyo as an adoptive musuko. The child is being well looked after but I fear for the child's safety. There is talk amongst Oda Nobuhiro's men that their master may attempt a takeover of the Oda clan. The child could be used further in the internal struggle. Nobuhida is not aware of his sons plans. '

Yama not the most talkative of men reflected on the information he had been given, Yuki'Ketsueki waited patiently. Yama took his time in everything. His face betrayed nothing of his thoughts.

'Arigato, Yuki'Ketsueki-san. You may pass the details onto Yamamoto Goro. Then may you return home until further instruction.'

Although Yama had pretty much ended the briefing the Kunoichi was not yet ready to leave she had some personal issue to debate with the Jounin.

'I beg your pardon for one more moment Sensei.'

Yama finally showed a hint of emotion, he raised an eye.

'Proceed.' He replied.

Tang Shen thought hard with what she was about to say.

' Doumoarigato. I am troubled for the origin of the child in my belly. I fear it may not be Yoshi's. My heart and the timing is telling me that my unborn child is the offspring of Oda Nobuhide's and not my Otto's. I do not know what to do.'

Tang Shen's face remained passive but a tear slowly rolled down her face. She had suspected the fate of her child for a while, and only during this recent job had she begun to confirm it in her head.

Yama stood from his futon and with the napkin from his pocket wiped away the tear. He sat on his knee's in front of the Kunoichi and looked her in the eye.

'You raise the child with his Otto, Hamato Yoshi. That is all I can say. '

He rose up and offered a hand out to her. She took it.

'Speak to Yamamoto then go home to your Kazoku. '

Entering as Yuki'Ketsueki she now left as Tang Shen. Business with the Hitokagi was all over bar courtesy. After giving her full report to the second head of the Hitokage Iga ninja clan she would be free to be her own self once more. Tang Shen put her hand to her stomach. Snow Blood would be with her also, in her second son.

Kunoichi - Female Ninja

Okami - Wife

Seppuku - Ritual Suicide

Tokonama - Recessed Alcove

Shukufu - Uncle

Otousan - Father

Okaasan - Mother

Jounin - Ninja clan leader

HitoKagi - Salamander (this particular Iga ninja clan's name.)

Iraisshaimase - Welcome

Doumoarigato - Thank You

Additonal:

I will be using the more common 'Tsuma' for wife

Chichi - Father

Haha - Mother

Kazoku - family

Otto - Husband

Musuki - son